Thank you for visiting my personal fundraising page for this year's Dempsey Challenge!

The Dempsey Challenge is the premiere fundraising event for the Dempsey Center, a nonprofit founded by actor Patrick Dempsey. The Dempsey Center makes life better for people impacted by cancer by easing the side effects of cancer by improving their physical, emotional, social, familial, and functional well-being at any point in their cancer journey--all at no cost.

I have committed to raising $5,000 for the Dempsey Center this year. With a donation made to my page, you can help support thousands of cancer patients, survivors, care partners, and their loved ones. Gifts of any amount will provide no-cost support for years to come.

Why I Rally - 

I rally for my Mom, Barbara Nixon, who we lost to a long battle with cancer in 2012. My Mom's first cancer diagnosis was in 1995 with breast cancer. She underwent treatment and was in remission until it returned again in 2000. She underwent aggressive treatment again and was in remission until 2007 when she was rushed to the hospital and into emergenchy surgery and was found to have colon cancer. From 2007 to 2012, she fought each and every day. In 2012, the cancer had spread to her chest, lungs, lymph nodes, pelvis and her brain. She never once let up on her fight, but it was drastically affecting her quality of life, which was always #1 for her. The evening of August 10, 2012, she passed away at home with her family by her side. She would have been 52 on August 24th. 

I also rally for my brother, Matt. Matt received a cancer diagnosis in October of 2020, two weeks before his 31st birthday. He underwent aggressive surgeries and had several life threatening complications throughout his treatments. Fortunately, with the great care he received and his ongoing strength, he is doing well with minimal long term side effects. 

In previous years, I have participated in the Avon 40 Mile Walk to End Breast Cancer, and now, this will be my third year participating in the Dempsey Challenge. This organization is so near and dear to my heart, and I only wish that I knew of the Dempsey Center when my Mom was still around. Every single program and resource they provide is all at 100% zero cost. They have programs for patients, survivors, families, care givers, parents, children, friends; if you have been impacted in any way by cancer, the Dempsey Center has something for you. 

I will always walk, run, cycle and rally for cancer support until we can live in a world where cancer does not.